When Snow-walker Gudrun takes over their land and begins to rule Jarls people, Jessa and Skapti take on the challenge to defeat the evil leader and his powerful son in order to put things right in the realm beyond the rainbow bridge.

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4.0 out of 5 stars"But the mother and child reunion", Beowulf Style

29 July 2018 - Published on Amazon.com

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Between the recent surge of interest in Norse myths and legends and the popularity of movies like Disney's "Frozen" this is a fine time to turn our attention back to Fisher's underappreciated "Snow-Walker". It has everything you could want - a plucky and engaging young outlaw heroine cheated out of her birthright, and enough snow and ice to frost-bite your fingertips while you hold the book. Add an evil, magic wielding, usurper, Ice Queen Snow-walker and her mysterious, possibly monstrous, child/creature, (who has been exiled to an abandoned frozen castle), and you're all set.

There are several housekeeping items the reader should be aware of. This was originally published as three separate books, ("The Snow-walker's Son", "The Empty Hand", and "The Soul Thieves"), and billed as a trilogy, or "The Snow-walker Sequence". It was reissued in the United States as one volume in three Parts. So, first off, look carefully at what you're buying in order to ensure that you're getting the volume(s) you want. The full tale runs to over 600 pages. Individual volumes are in the 180 to 220 page range. Also be aware that there is a fair amount of overlapping and repetition from Part to Part, reflecting the book's origins as three separate books in a trilogy, but there's no real harm in that.

Because this is a three-part epic fantasy quest adventure some characters disappear from Part to Part and new characters enter late in the game. Players you think will be important may just disappear. The three characters to watch are the rebellious heroine Jessa, the "monster" child Kari, and the evil Snow-walker Queen Gudrun. There are fairly distinct plots and quests from Part to Part and then one overarching arc involving resistance against the evil ice Queen. (MILD PLOT SPOILERS: Part 1 mostly involves discovering the identity and powers of the mystery child. Part 2 is the story of how the good guys battle the Queen's terrifying rune beast, and is the most intentionally Beowulf-ish. Part 3 finds evil enchantments and soul thefts caused by the Ice Queen, and wraps up in a final world breaking Mother/Son confrontation.)

This was written for younger readers and the character development is a bit light as a consequence. The writing is crisp and direct, and atmosphere and action and the frozen waste settings are what is emphasized. There's no romance, no deep hero thoughts, and no complex intrigue. There isn't much in the way of violence; this is more along the lines of a battle of wills between Mother and Son. That said, this is still a fantasy actioner, with a magical mythical chaser. The tales are accordingly clearly laid out and fast paced. Fisher is a story teller, and she tells a ripping tale.

Some of this sounds vaguely negative, but it really shouldn't. The overall impression I formed was that this felt like a Celtic/Norse middle grade light version of a Beowulf and Grendel tale, and that's just an excellent sort of book to have available for a younger reader. It's not wand magic; it's not a school daze story; it's not Arthurian. But it is "let's all gather in the Mead Hall and have a tale", and it's just the thing to warm up a winter's chill.

5.0 out of 5 starsThis triology is so good, this is my second time around!

5 April 2013 - Published on Amazon.com

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I read this series about 4 years ago and loved it. When I found it in the Kindle Store, I just had to buy it--especially since the price was discounted so low and I got all three books in one! Catherine Fisher weaves a plot that will keep you turning pages well into the late night, if you are a bedtime reader. Her characters are larger than life and she brings you to a point where you feel you are there. When Jessa, Kari, Brochael,Skapti, and Hakon are traveling to the "end of the world", Fisher's description of the sub frigid, constant blizzard-like conditions of the wilderness territory they must travel through, felt so real that I had to grab a blanket and snuggle in to keep warm! That is expository writing at its best! You will not be disappointed with this series. Get it and enjoy!

I picked this book up because I wanted to read a story related to Norse mythology and was intrigued by the name Gudrun, the wife of mythology's Sigurd. I was hoping for more mythological crossovers, but though I was disappointed in there only being a few of these, I was so enthralled by the story, I didn't mind.

Jessa is a great lead character with spunk and determination. I like how she is trusted by the male characters as an equal, how she is respected by the Jarl as well as by the bard Skapti and Kari who is clearly more powerful than she.

The action is non-stop and our heroes are often in peril. This makes for a page-turning adventure I could not put down. I enjoyed The Snow-walker's Son and The Empty Hand so much, I can't bring myself to finish The Soul Thieves. I am putting it off until I have time to read all day and can enjoy its greatness all at once.

I especially liked the details about the ginungagap and the world serpent. Additionally Fisher's setting details are vivid and remind me of the winters here in Minnesota.